The Morning Kickoff: Thunder Sleet? Thunder Sleet

Not sure about the rest of you, but up at The Full 90 HQ in the KC Northland we had some Thunder Sleet this morning. Which, given the crazy weather we've had in KC this year, seemed mildly appropriate.

Enough about the weather, here are some links to get you through this holiday morning.

3. Kei Kamara, Sporting Kansas City forward: In a league somewhat lacking in colorful characters, Kamara offers a refreshing distraction from the ordinary. The Sierra Leone international offered up more than his fair share of notable moments in 2010 with a divergence of opinion with his national federation, a ghastly miss and an ongoing feud with Nick Garcia among the highlights. The attention – plus a rather suitable role in Peter Vermes' attack-minded 4-3-3 formation – seemed to urge Kamara to greater heights on the field as he finally settled at his fourth MLS club. After scoring a career-high ten goals this season, Kamara will hope the scrutiny continues to follow him for all of the right reasons next year.

• Former New England assistant Paul Mariner has left his job coaching Plymouth Argyle in England. Is his next step head coach of Toronto FC? [

• Speaking of Toronto, buried in this story about Freddie Ljungberg signing with Celtic, is the news that TFC's key player Dwayne De Rosario has been given permission to trial with the Scottish giant. [Source: